Diaphragm pump



Sept. 22, 1936. J. G. c. MANTLE DIAPHRAGM PUMP Filed Oct. 23, 1929 Patented Sept. 22, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DIAPHRAGM PUMP Joseph G. C. Mantle, Leonia, N. J Applicationoctober 23, 1929, Serial No. 401,638

3Glalml.

This invention relates'to diaphragm-pumps of the kind in which, although continuously operated by mechanical means, both the induction and eduction of the liquid ceases whenever the pressure in the liquid in the pumping chamber exceeds a predetermined amount. In pumps of this kind the eduction stroke of the diaphragm is efiected by spring pressure, either the resiliency or elasticity of the diaphragm itself or a spring actuating it, and the induction stroke is eiiected positively by mechanical means, or in other words, in an unyieldable manner by mechanical means.

The object of this invention is the provision of a pump in which both the induction and the eductlon strokes of the diaphragm are effected by spring pressures, as being better adapted and conducive to the greater longevity of the diaphragm. Another object is the provision of an exceedingly simple and perfectly noiseless pump which may be manufactured at a very low cost.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and suchother objects as may hereinafter appear, this invention relates to the construction, combination and arrangements of parts hereinafter described, and then sought to be defined in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, and which show merely for the purpose of illus- -trative disclosure several embodiments of my invention, it being expressly understood, however, that various changes may be made in practice within the scope of the claims without digressing from my inventive idea.

In the drawing- I Figure l is a. sectional elevation of the pump.

Figure 2 is a. sectional plan of the pump.

1 Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of another form of the pump.

Figure 4'is a sectional elevation of yet another form of thepump.

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of a cheaper form of the pump.

Corresponding parts in eac been given the same reference characters.

The body of the pump consists of two parts, the body portion I and the body portion 2 which are held together by the screws 2. The diaphragm 3 which serves as'the pumping element is contained in body part I. The diaphragm is provided with a flange 4 which is held between the two body portions I and 2. The pumping chamber 5 is the space enclosed between the exterior of the diaphragm and the interior of the body portion I and is sealed from the body porof the figures have tion 2 by the flange l of the diaphragm. The body portion 2 has also a. flange 4' for attaching and sealing it to a chamber containing a rotating cam I3. Formed in the body portion I and located above the'pumping chamber 5 is the inlet valve chamber 6 and also the outlet valve chamher 'I. The inlet and outlet valves are 8 and 9, respectively. A lever III, pivoted on pin I I, carries a roller I2 which is sustained in rolling contact with a rotating cam I3 by the compression spring I4. The pin II is supported in a part of the body portion 2 which extends upwardly and is within the diaphragm 3. The pin II is entirely within the body of the pump and its ends are not exposed to the exterior thereof.

The diaphragms shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4 are of metal whilst that shown in Figure 5 consists of superimposed layers of flexible organic material having little or no resiliency. The outer edge of this diaphragm is secured between the body part I and the body part 2 and its inner edge is secured between the members l8 and I9, the member I8 being screwed into member I9, see Figure 5. A spring I 6 abuts the bottom of member I9 and is supported in a dished washer H which in turn is supported by an arm of the lever I0.

In Figures 1, 3 and 4 a spring I6 abuts the underside of the top of the diaphragm 3 and is supported in a dished washer H which in turn is supported by an arm of the lever I0.

In Figure 1 the position shown or the diaphragm is that of the termination of an induction stroke; the dotted lines, adjacent the top of the pumping chamber, indicate the position of the top of the diaphragm at the commencement of the induction stroke at which time the roller I2 was on the high part of the rotating cam I3. As the roller I2 moved therefrom to the lower part of the rotating cam the short arm of the lever III moved downwardly and permitted the diaphragm, by reason of its elasticity, to efiect its induction stroke and arrive at the position shown in the figure. During the further rotation of the cam I3 the roller I2 rolls to the high part of the cam and the short arm of the lever I I] moves upwardly giving pressure to the spring I6 and as a consequence, provided meanwhile the pressure in the liquid does not exceed the predetermined amount, the top of the diaphragm arrives at the position indicated by the dotted lines, thereby completing its eduction stroke. But, should during this movement the pressure in the liquid exceed the predetermined limit, then this upward movement of the diaphragm ceases,

and the diaphragm remains stationary until the pressure in the liquid is within the limit. Meanwhile the short arm of the lever moves down and up and the spring 16 expands and contracts to suit that movement.

In the form shown in Figure 3 whilst the short arm of the lever Ill moves downwardly the roller l2 rolls from the low part to the high part of the rotating cam l3, but the action of the diaphragm and the spring i6" is precisely as ex-'- plained in connection with Figure 1. Also, whilst in Figure 1 it is the cam [3 which moves the short arm of the lever ill in the upward direction, in Figure 3 it is the spring il which effects that movement. But in both cases it is the joint action of the spring i4 and cam l3 which actuates the lever i0.

In the form shownin Figure 5 the use of a diaphragm of organic material in place of the metal diaphragms shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4 is merely to slightly cheapen the cost of the pump.

The metal diaphragm is immensely more reliable and durable if made in accordance with my pending applications relating to metallic diaphragms. The position of the diaphragm shown in Figure 5 is also that of the termination of an induction stroke and which has been eifected by the spring 20 contained in the members 88 and IS. The action is precisely as has been explained in connection with the form shown in Figure 1, and in fact as the corresponding parts have the same reference characters that description can be read over it.

The forms shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5 are adapted for use where but a slight suction capacity is required, as, for instance the lifting of the liquid fuel from the fuel .tank to the engine in an automobile. The form shown in Figure 4 wherein the diaphragm is assisted or actuated by a spring 20 is preferable in instances where considerable suction is required. The spring 20 is contained in a depression 2| which is formed in the top of the diaphragm. The action is precisely as explained in respect to the form shown in Figure 5. I

In Figure 3 the equivalent of a carbureter is shown, less the float or float valve which the sensitiveness to excess of pressure in this form of pump renders superfluous.

It will now have been seen that in this improved form of diaphragm pump the diaphragm is actuated in both directions, that is to say, both during its induction strokes and its eduction strokes in a yieldable manner, for it is actuated in both directions by spring-pressure. During the induction strokes either by its own elasticity or by a separate spring, and during its eduction strokes by a separate spring. opposing spring pressures tending to move the That there are diaphragm in opposite directions and that the direction is determined by a mechanical member acting on the spring pressure which tends to move it in one of those directions. This mechanical member is preferably operated by a cam, although it may be operated by other suitable means.

In order that the induction and eduction oi the liquid be controlled by the pressure in the liquid in the pumping chamber it is necessary that the said mechanical member act-on the spring which opposes the movement of the diaphragm during its induction strokes.

As an important detail of construction attention is directed to the supporting of the pin II, which is the pivot for the operating lever In, in an extension of the body part I located entirely above its flange and having the ends of the pin ti enclosed within the body of the pump. This method also completely prevents -an escape of the lubricating oil to the exterior of the bodyof the pump.

Having thusfully described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a diaphragm pump, a casing; a diaphragm therein, spring means adapted to contact said diaphragm, a lever pivotally mounted within said diaphragm and having a portion adapted to contact said spring means so as to actuate said spring means in a substantially rectilinear path. v

2. In a diaphragm pump, a casing, a diaphragm within said casing, a spring means within said diaphragm and adapted to contact one wall of said diaphragm, a lever pivotally mounted in said casing and within said diaphragm and having a portion adapted to contact a cam memher, a spring for maintaining said portion of said lever in contact with thecam member, said lever being provided with another portion positioned within said diaphragm and adaptedto actuate said spring means in a substantially rectilinear path.

3. In a diaphragm pump, a body comprising an upper and a. lower portion, a flexible diaphragm having its circumferential part held between the said upper and lower portions, the said upper portion jointly with the diaphragm constituting the pumping. chamber, a lever imparting movements to a spring intervening the lever and the diaphragm, the direction of said movements being at right angles to the said circumferential part, the said lever fulcrumed on a pin located in the upper portion but. supported in the lower portion and extending through the lower portion and operated externally thereof.

JOSEPH G. C. MANTLE. 

